These are the opinions of a former high school teacher of government, politics and history with 36 years’ experience. I speak only for myself but hope that others among our readers will agree with some of my thoughts.
I always taught my students that one must see all sides of any argument to make informed decisions. Unfortunately, I have seen, especially in the last 10 months, a reluctance among our media, including this paper and the major media networks. There’s a fear that allowing dissent of the current administration — and the right-wing 33% who are the supporters of a criminal incompetent who rages against his detractors with a vengeance — is inappropriate. This has led to vindictive attacks on dissenters by a Justice Department that no longer stands for the Constitution but rather for this criminally incompetent, uncouth verbalizer in the White House.
I always taught my students the importance of the free press and free speech. It must be tolerated and allowed to counter bias that comes from fear of reprisal that seems to be clear in what is printed or broadcast to us by these media outlets. Withholding opposition to avoid criticism was one thing I taught my students to never allow. But it seems to be the rule today, not the exception. For years, newspapers and media always allowed counterpoints, but no longer is that evident. I say shame on these outlets for their cowardness. As we are now beginning to see the failures of this administration’s actions being held to account by the judicial system, perhaps the media will follow. I pray that will happen, not only to these sources but to church and civic leaders who have cowered and shamed themselves for not pursuing fairness and facts that are inescapable to people like me.
Geoffrey Smoot
Hebron, Maryland
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
